Favourite won't cop it sweet over criticism

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The state's top anti-terrorism police commander has rejected
suggestions he lacks the operational experience needed to become
commissioner, as the NSW Government battles to retain Ken Moroney
until the 2007 election.

The NSW Deputy Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, said recent
criticism "is not an issue for me". His experience was primarily in
organised crime and counter-terrorism, but he had also worked in
general duties - as a traffic officer, and as a detective in
Bankstown, he said.

He declared his support for Mr Moroney as the "best
commissioner" he had worked for. He said his focus remained on his
anti-terrorism role.

Yesterday the Commissioner of Victoria Police, Christine Nixon,
refused to rule herself out for the top police job in NSW.

Ms Nixon, a former assistant NSW police commissioner, said: "In
life I've found out you don't rule things out." But she said she
was "very happy" with the job in Victoria and had "lots left to
do".

The Police Minister, Carl Scully, said the Government was doing
all it could to convince Mr Moroney to remain as commissioner after
his contract ran out next May but, if he stood down, Ms Nixon and
Mr Scipione would be excellent candidates.

Mr Scully said he was in discussions with Mr Moroney. "I don't
hide the fact, I've got full confidence in him and I'd like him to
stick around for a while.

"He's handled some very difficult issues, especially since I've
become minister, like Macquarie Fields, like the Police Integrity
Commission inquiry and others with skill and aplomb."

Mr Scully said he was delighted that it was possible Ms Nixon
could be recruited, and Mr Scipione was "a terrific" officer.